http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/handover/ en-us Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:27:55 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2118301/posts IRAQ today took over from US forces control of the central Shi'ite province of Wasit, which US commanders say is often used by Iranian groups to smuggle weapons to launch attacks in Iraq. Wasit became the 13th of Iraq's 18 provinces to be handed over by US-led forces to Baghdad amid an overall improvement in security across the violence-wracked country. "We received today the security responsibility of Wasit province," national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie said at a ceremony held at a football stadium in the provincial capital of Kut, south of Baghdad. He said Wasit had achieved a level of... Herald Sun http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2118301/posts#comment Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:27:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074149/posts Iraq War: We interrupt coverage of Bristol Palin's pregnancy to announce that the U.S. has turned over control of Iraq's wild, wild west to Baghdad. Memo to Barack Obama: Soon you will have nothing left to surrender.On Monday, while Democrats waited to see if Hurricane Gustav would be another Katrina and the GOP juggled its convention schedule, U.S. commanders formally returned responsibility for security in Iraq's Anbar province to the Iraqi Army and police. Maybe you missed it. The New York Times Web page had three stories on Bristol Palin. The Washington Post's online magazine, Slate, is running a "Name... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074149/posts#comment Wed, 3 Sep 2008 23:56:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2073474/posts RAMADI, Iraq — Two years ago, Anbar Province was the most lethal place for the Americans in Iraq, with a marine or a soldier dying here nearly every day. The provincial capital, Ramadi, was a moonscape of rubble and ruins. Islamic extremists controlled large pieces of territory, with some so ferocious in their personal views that they did not even allow the sale of bread. On Monday, following a parade on a freshly paved street, American commanders formally returned responsibility for keeping order in Anbar Province, once the heartland of the Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi Army and police force.... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2073474/posts#comment Wed, 3 Sep 2008 03:03:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072924/posts RAMADI, Iraq: Two years ago, Anbar Province was the most lethal place for American forces in Iraq. A U.S. marine or soldier died in the province nearly every day, and the provincial capital, Ramadi, was a moonscape of rubble and ruins. Islamic extremists controlled large pieces of territory, with some so ferocious in their views that they did not even allow the baking of bread. On Monday, U.S. commanders formally returned responsibility for keeping order in Anbar Province, once the heartland of the Sunni insurgency, to the Iraqi Army and police. The ceremony, including a parade on a freshly paved... International Herald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072924/posts#comment Tue, 2 Sep 2008 13:13:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072558/posts Given Hurricane Gustav, the GOP convention—and the MSM's inherent inclination to underreport good news from Iraq—a major story is not getting the attention it deserves. Here's how President Bush described the development [the photo shows U.S. Marine Maj. Gen John Kelly and Anbar Governor Maamoun Sami Rashid signing the handover papers. (AP Photo/Wathiq Khuzaie, Pool)]: "Today in Iraq, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into an overwatch role. Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous... NewsBusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072558/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 19:51:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072447/posts WASHINGTON, September 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today in Iraq, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into an overwatch role. Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq. Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center, and its leaders intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home. Today, Anbar... standardnewswire http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072447/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 16:56:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072339/posts The U.S. military Monday handed control of Iraq's Anbar province to Iraqi security forces. U.S. forces will withdraw to bases and rejoin Iraqi operations in Anbar only at the request of the provincial governor. Anbar is a Sunni-dominated province whose inhabitants turned against U.S. forces soon after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. Anbar towns, such as Fallujah and Ramadi became insurgent strongholds, where militants waged fierce battles against U.S. troops. Violence in Anbar began to subside in 2006 when Sunni tribes became weary of al-Qaida's brutality against the local population. The tribes formed councils and joined U.S.-led forces... VOICE OF AMERICA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2072339/posts#comment Mon, 1 Sep 2008 13:42:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069619/posts WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2008 – Iraq’s once-deadly Anbar province could within the next few days become the 11th province to be turned over to Iraqi control, paving the way for a reduced U.S. Marine Corps presence there, the Marine Corps commandant said today. Gen. James T. Conway told Pentagon reporters the marked drop in violence in Anbar sets the stage for a drawdown of Marine forces that could be freed up for duty in Afghanistan, if needed. “The change in the al-Anbar province is real and perceptible," with attacks at an all-time daily low of two to three, Conway said.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2069619/posts#comment Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:42:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037034/posts Macedonian Army Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, and a Ranger platoon stand at attention as they wait to hand over command to the incoming Macedonian unit during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at the Sgt. John M. Schoolcraft III Pavilion at Camp Taji, northwest of Bagdad, June 23. Photo by Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield. CAMP TAJI — The Soldiers of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, bade farewell to their Macedonian partners and welcomed two new Macedonian platoons during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony at the Sgt. John M. Schoolcraft III Pavilion June 23.... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2037034/posts#comment Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:01:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035275/posts BAGHDAD (AFP) — The US military is to hand over security control of the former Sunni insurgent bastion of Anbar province to Iraqi forces in the next 10 days, a US military spokesman announced on Monday."The handover of Anbar is expected to take place in the next 10 days," Lieutenant David Russell told AFP, declining to provide an exact date.Anbar would be the tenth of Iraq's 18 provinces to be handed back to Iraqi forces by the US-led coalition amid a push to transfer security control of the entire country back to Baghdad.Anbar province in western Iraq, the country's largest,... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2035275/posts#comment Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:23:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2033605/posts An Iraqi national policeman assigned to 8th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, uses his rifle to search debris for weapons and explosive materials during a cordon and search operation in the Beladiyat area of eastern Baghdad, June 10. Along with Iraqi army soldiers, national police detained 23 suspects and confiscated illegal weapons, including 62 AK-47 rifles, six Simonov rifles, four pistols and two artillery shells prepared as improvised explosive devices in Muhalla 740. Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Meadows. FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY — For Iraqi national police officers and Iraqi army soldiers, conducting cordon and search missions is nothing... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2033605/posts#comment Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:47:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2026477/posts The United States is considering moving the 8th Army headquarters to Hawaii by 2012, when wartime operational control is handed over to South Korea, military sources here said yesterday. Fighting units under the Yongsan-based headquarters, such as the 2nd Infantry Division and the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, are to remain on the Korean Peninsula, they said. The relocation of the 8th Army headquarters to Hawaii, where the U.S. Pacific Command has its headquarters, is intended to revamp the military command structure here, according to the sources. Some critics are concerned that moving the headquarters outside the Korean Peninsula may... The Korea Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2026477/posts#comment Thu, 5 Jun 2008 15:05:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024418/posts NASIRIYAH, Iraq (AFP) — The 550-strong Australian contingent in Iraq withdrew from its bases in the south of the country on Sunday as most of the troops prepared to head home, Iraqi and Australian officials said. The soldiers left following a flag-lowering ceremony at the Imam Ali airbase west of the city of Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qar province, governor Aziz Kadoum Alwan said. "The Australian soldiers left today from Dhi Qar and Muthanna provinces," Alwan said. In Sydney the Australian Defence Force said in a statement that the "Overwatch Battle Group and the Australian army training team formally... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024418/posts#comment Sun, 1 Jun 2008 16:13:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024076/posts COP TIMBERWOLF — It’s a trend seen more and more frequently around al-Anbar province; Marines packing up their gear and returning their positions to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) so they can continue providing protection and security to the Iraqi citizens. Combat Outpost Timberwolf, near Baghdadi, is one of the latest to continue that trend of transitioning from Coalition force control to Iraqi Army (IA) control. COP Timberwolf began the transition process earlier this year when Marines assigned to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5 relieved Marines from 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, RCT-5 earlier this year so the battalion... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2024076/posts#comment Sat, 31 May 2008 17:43:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1952361/posts Iraq's western province of Anbar, hotbed of the Sunni Arab insurgency for the first four years of the war, will be returned to Iraqi control in March, a senior U.S. general said Thursday. In a telephone interview from Iraq, Marine Maj. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin, commander of the roughly 35,000 Marine and Army forces in Anbar, said levels of violence have dropped so significantly—coupled with the growth and development of Iraqi security forces in the province—that Anbar is ready to be handed back to the Iraqis. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1952361/posts#comment Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:46:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951573/posts WASHINGTON - Iraq's western province of Anbar, origin of the Sunni Arab insurgency that arose in the early months of U.S. occupation, will be returned to Iraqi control in March, a senior U.S. general said Thursday. Thus far, nine of 18 Iraqi provinces have reverted to Iraqi control, most recently the southern province of Basra in December. The process has gone substantially slower than the Bush administration once hoped, mainly because of obstacles to developing sufficient Iraqi police and army forces. Marine Maj. Gen. Walter E. Gaskin, commander of the roughly 35,000 Marine and Army forces in Anbar, said levels... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1951573/posts#comment Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:42:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1940057/posts BASRA — Prime Minister Gordon Brown, making a surprise visit to troops in Iraq last week, announced that Basra will be handed back to Iraqi control within two weeks. Addressing troops at the Contingency Operating Base at Basra, where most of the United Kingdom’s troops are now based, Mr. Brown revealed that he had just spoken to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki who approved the handover. Mr. Maliki is recommending that British troops move to provincial Iraqi control within two weeks. The remaining British troops will focus more on training local Iraqi forces, before UK numbers reduce down to 2,500... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1940057/posts#comment Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:34:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937610/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2007 – Basra, the second-largest city in Iraq, will be turned over to Iraqi provincial control in the next two weeks, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced yesterday during a visit to Iraq. The city will be the largest population turned over to the Iraqis and will complete the turnover to the Iraqis of the southern provinces of the country. Brown told British soldiers gathered at Basra International Airport that he had spoken with Iraqi Prime Minster Nouri al-Maliki by phone. “He asked me to pass on his thanks to you for what you have done to... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937610/posts#comment Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:38:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937099/posts Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced that the Iraqi province of Basra is to be handed over to Iraqi control within two weeks. Mr Brown flew into Basra city on Sunday for a surprise visit to British troops. He broke the news as he addressed servicemen and women at Basra air station, after holding telephone talks with Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki. The remaining 4,500 British troops in Iraq will now focus their efforts on training local Iraqi forces. UK troop numbers are set to be reduced to 2,500 from the spring. Mr Brown told the troops: "I have just talked... bbc news http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937099/posts#comment Sun, 9 Dec 2007 22:24:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937035/posts On her first day at Basra University this year a man came up to Zeena, a 21-year-old Christian woman, and three other Christian girls and ordered them to cover their heads with a hijab, or Islamic headscarf. “We didn't listen to him, and thought he might just be some extremist student representing only himself,” she said. The next day Zeena and two of her friends returned to class with uncovered heads. This time a man in the black clothes of the Shia militia stopped them at the entrance and took them aside. “He said, 'We asked you yesterday to wear... The Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1937035/posts#comment Sun, 9 Dec 2007 18:54:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936436/posts CAMP FALLUJAH — Camp Corregidor and Combat Outpost were returned to the Government of Iraq during a signing ceremony held in the provincial capital of Ramadi Dec. 7. Governor Mamoun Sami Rashid Alawani, on behalf of the National Government, signed the documents and officially took possession of the property at the Provincial Government Center a few kilometers from the campus. Coalition Forces established Camp Corregidor on the abandoned campus of the Agricultural College in early 2004. Strategically located on the main highway connecting Baghdad to Syria, the outpost was under constant attack by Al Qaeda in Iraq foreign fighters and... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1936436/posts#comment Sat, 8 Dec 2007 00:39:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920321/posts CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq, Nov. 2, 2007 – The Iraqi government has assumed command of a major unit from the country’s army, a sign of continued improvement in Iraq’s armed forces, U.S. officials said. Marine Maj. Gen. W.E. Gaskin, commander of Multinational Force West, relinquished operational control of the 7th Iraqi Army Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Murthi Mishin Rafa Farahan, to Iraqi Ground Forces Command in a ceremony at the division's headquarters at Camp Blue Diamond, in Ramadi, yesterday. The 7th Iraqi Army Division is responsible for security along the western Euphrates River Valley, with three brigades operating across the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920321/posts#comment Sat, 3 Nov 2007 01:40:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1918572/posts Iraqis to take control of Basra province Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent Last Updated: 8:39pm GMT 30/10/2007 British forces are to transfer responsibility for security in Basra province to Iraq’s government in December, it has been announced. UK troops withdrew from Basra city in September Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, and David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, said that after a formal handover ceremony British troops would be "in overwatch" in the region while the Iraqi police and army take on greater responsibility for security on the ground. Mr Browne is expected to agree a date in mid-December for the handover... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1918572/posts#comment Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:54:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917460/posts BAGHDAD - U.S. forces will turn over security to Iraqi authorities in the southern Shiite province of Karbala on Monday, the American commander for the area said, despite fighting between rival militia factions that has killed dozens. Karbala will become only the eighth of Iraq's 18 provinces to revert to Iraqi control, despite President Bush's prediction in January that the Iraqi government would have responsibility for security in all of the provinces by November. Forbes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1917460/posts#comment Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:10:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1897078/posts Soldiers of 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (SCR), prepare to raise the regimental flag over the headquarters during a transfer of authority event on Camp Liberty, Sept. 8. The 2nd SCR out of Vilseck, Germany, relieved the Arrowhead Brigade, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, out of Fort Lewis, Wash. Photo by Spc. Leith Edgar, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. CAMP LIBERTY — The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (SCR) “Dragoons” replaced the 3rd “Arrowhead” Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division as the quick-reaction force for the Iraqi capital Sept. 13, allowing the Arrowhead Soldiers to return home to... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1897078/posts#comment Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:04:43 GMT